The Sukhoi Su-17, 20 & 22 (NATO reporting name: Fitter) are Soviet variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber developed from the Sukhoi Su-7. It enjoyed a long career in Soviet, later Russian, service and was widely exported to Eastern Bloc and Arab air forces.
Both the Egyptian and Syrians acquired Su-20s and used them against Israel in the Yom Kippur War.
Egyptian Su-20
Seeking to improve low-speed and take-off/landing performance of the Su-7B fighter-bomber, in 1963 the Sukhoi OKB with input from TsAGI created a variable-sweep wing technology demonstrator. The Su-7IG, converted from a production Su-7BM, had fixed inner portions of the wing with movable outer segments which could be swept to 28°, 45°, or 62°. The prototype first flew on 2 August 1966 with, becoming the first Soviet variable geometry aircraft. It differed from its predecessor Su-7 in having a new canopy and a dorsal fuselage spine for additional fuel and avionics. A total of 2,867 Su-17 and its variants were built, of which 1,165 were exported to 15 nations.
Syrian Su-20
There were many, many variants of the Fitter. The first being the Su-17. The Su-20 was an export version of the Su-17M. The final variants were the improved and modernized Su-22, many still fly today in air forces around the world. Intended solely as a fighter bomber the armament of the Su-20 was similar to the previous Su-7 with 2 × 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 auto cannons. Additional hard points, some versions had up to 12, allowed the Su-20 to carry a much higher weapons load. As much as 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of weapons could be carried. The weapons usually consisted of rockets and bombs. Later Fitters could also carry guided missiles and bombs.
Our Egyptian and Syrian Fitters will carry a variety of weapons. Here will be the standard version with 30mm cannons, drop tanks, rocket pods and bombs.
Another version with only cannons and 57mm rocket pods.
And finally a bomber version with cannons and 8 FAB 250 bombs.
Clivewil made this amazing aircraft model and texture and has generously shared it with the BF2 community. Thats it for this update. Stay tuned for more new aircraft!
Yay, awesome!!
You are very good at making vehicles textures :D
Thanks guys
I wish more planes had variable-swept wings. Was such an awesome thing to see like on the F-14 Tomcat among others such as this and the B1, where it was almost like a transformer of the skies.
That one with the 57mm rocket pods is going to totally dominate in the ground attack role! I can't wait to play it in game.
I agree, I love the swing-wing planes. The F-14 & B-1 and also the F-111 for the US. The Panavia Tornado and the Russian's had the Mig-23 and Su-24. All were really cool aircraft.
In doing some research I found that the 57mm rockets were not that effective IRL. But still an impressive weapons load.
Real good man!
Thanks!
Scalemodels.ru
Thanks, the Su-20/22 is an impressive plane. I think it was the most modern plane the Arab air forces had in 1973.